New faces help honor those who served

Updated 8:56 pm, Sunday, November 11, 2012

Gerald Atkins had never taken part in a Veterans Day celebration before.

He served in the Army during the first Persian Gulf War and retired from the Air Force as a technical sergeant. In 2008, he ditched a career as a plumber to come to San Antonio, where his wife now serves. But it took his children to get him to his first Veterans Day event.

Atkins, 49, marched with his son, a Cub Scout, in Saturday's parade downtown. On Sunday, he was at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery with his daughter, a Girl Scout, as politicians, active-duty military, veterans and their families joined to celebrate Veterans Day.

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“It's one of those things you take for granted until you come out here,” Atkins said. “You come to one, and it's hard to say we're not going to be here next year to celebrate all the guys and gals who gave it all.”

Along with speeches, readings of each service's creed and tributes to those who have served, U.S. Magistrate Judge John Primomo presided from the stage as 15 service members became U.S. citizens.

“I want to thank each of you for ... choosing to serve this country before it became your country,” Primomo said.

Maurine Jepwogen, a 21-year-old from Kenya who joined the Navy this past summer, said it was particularly meaningful to become a citizen on Veterans Day.

“It's really amazing,” Jepwogen said. “Serving the United States is an honor. All over the world, people want to come here.”

After the ceremony, attendees lined up to shake the hands of Jepwogen and the other new citizens.

Air Force Brig. Gen. Theresa Carter, the morning's keynote speaker, told the stories of service members who had died, such as San Antonian and Master Sgt. Cleto Rodriguez, who received the Congressional Medal of Honor during World War II, and Brandon Lara, who graduated from New Braunfels Canyon High School early so he could enlist and was killed three years ago in Iraq.

“These veterans ... implore us to ensure the lives they leave are worthy of their sacrifice,” Carter said. “I am inspired every day by their passion, dedication and devotion to duty.”

Among those on stage honored during the ceremony was Griselda Leveritt, 90, who served in the Navy during World War II and is a charter member of the Women in Military Service for America Memorial Foundation, which built a memorial at Arlington National Cemetery.

Like Atkins, it was her first time at the annual ceremony.

“I was so honored to be here,” Leveritt said. “I hope I can make it another year.”